Breathing Concretely

Concrete that breaths is getting a lot media coverage recently, and that’s great to see. Business Week recently ran an article about smog-eating concrete that is on display in Venice (ironically, a city with no cars). The idea of buildings using this concrete is really nice, it will make city air breathable, of course if less people drove this research wouldn’t be needed.

Previously, we looked at an artistic display of this concrete.

“Visitors to the Italian Pavilion of the architecture exhibition in the Venice Biennale, which will remain open until Nov. 19, will get a breath of fresh air. That’s because parts of the concrete walls and grounds have been built with cement containing an active agent that, in presence of light, breaks air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, benzene, and others through a natural chemical process called photocatalysis.”

Hockey Overload

I know that this is the second hockey post in as many weeks, but this is a Canadian-based site remember. Also on Friday’s we tend to post news that is more entertaining in its goodness than effect.

Hockey good thing number 1:

“A recent winner of a hockey contest on Information Morning in Fredericton gave back his grand prize, asking the show hold an auction with proceeds going to a child who couldn’t afford to play hockey this year.” From Inside the CBC. A news story about hockey from a CBC blog about a contest run by the CBC that also involves beer (can’t much more stereotypically Canadian than that).

Hockey good thing number 2:

Canadian researchers have found out what spot of the ice a hockey goalie needs to watch.

Previously we spoke of hockey on Google Video.

Cassette Tape Wallet

tapeRetro/out-dated technology can still be useful! Cassette tapes seem to never go out of style in some way or another. Last week we saw how old magnetic tape reels from inside an old cassette tape can be used to make clothing, now the casing can be used to make a wallet.

Reusing old items is not only groovy, but it’s also environmentally friendly! This wallet venture looks very easy to make – give it a try.

Peaceful Nepal

Nepal had some turmoil earlier this year that brought the country to a basic standstill. Then the fighting sides realized that peace is better than war and decided to end the violence. It’s a LOT more complicated than that, but the good news is that peace in Nepal just needs signatures.

The people of Nepal are getting what they wanted.

“The six-point agreement, which was reached at midnight on Tuesday November 7, 2006, included provisions that will lead to the signing of a comprehensive peace accord on November 16, which will mark the end to the armed conflict between the Maoist insurgents and the Government of Nepal.”

Salt Lake City to use Waste Power

Salt Lake City is going to start a small pilot project that will use sewage to heat and cool buildings. The idea uses the simple concept of heat transfer to transfer energy from one source to another.

“The system should sufficiently heat and cool Lear’s 8,000-square-foot building about 95 percent of the time. For the remainder, Lear will pool 1,800 gallons of water in the basement, also using the water to irrigate the building’s lawn.

It’s a bit expensive – the system costs $20,000 more than traditional systems – but if it works well, Lear hopes it could be eventually used by the masses.”